People Are Using Google Maps to Catch Glimpses of Deceased Loved Ones
Google Maps is great for finding directions, even spotting a location before you actually get there, but did you know it could also be used for spotting people too? More particularly, the feature has lately been used for people to see their deceased loved ones.
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A touching screen recording
Leslie Barraza told CNN she posted a screen recording of her using Google Maps Street View on Tuesday to look at her deceased grandfather's farm in Durango, Mexico. Barraza and her sister were reminiscing and exploring the streets around her grandfather's home.
My grandpa passed away a few years ago. We didn’t get to say goodbye to him. Yesterday we found out google maps finally drove through his farm and as we were curious going through it, where the road ends, there is my grandpa, just sitting there. ? pic.twitter.com/CbwRTkCKrZ
— yajaira (@yajairalyb) January 7, 2020
Suddenly and unexpectedly, they saw an image of him sitting outside his home. This was a touching surprise.
"My grandpa was the rock to my family," Barraza told CNN. "He was the only father figure in my life, and to see him one last time gave me such a sense of comfort."
Hundreds of replies
Once Barraza posted this story to Twitter, she got hundreds of replies from people doing the same thing. They shared screen recordings of their deceased loved ones going about their daily lives as Google captured them.
My grandpa too! Marked 8 years on December 2019 since he’s been gone ?? pic.twitter.com/xvDIXDYwHF
— RoseBud (@RufussMom) January 8, 2020
same as my buddy lucky, rip :( pic.twitter.com/GtDWqcaL4d
— liz ard (@HoangryAF) January 8, 2020
I randomly googled my grandma's address once last year when I couldn't stop thinking of her... this was what I saw I couldn't stop crying! My grandma was chilling in her front yard... I miss my ole gal! ❤ pic.twitter.com/1ytDswHDIO
— Kizzi J. (@KizziRock_) January 9, 2020
my great abuelo passed away last month, exactly 1 year after my great abuela also left us. to see him here walking to our old house brings back so many childhood memories ?? pic.twitter.com/qfDIsDQoWT
— ???? (@Buenrostrohhh) January 8, 2020
Even Google responded, thanking Barraza for the Tweet.
Our tissue box is officially empty. Thank you for sharing this. ?
— Google Maps (@googlemaps) January 9, 2020
"It's heartwarming to see Google Maps and Street View helping so many people remember their loved ones in a special way and share their memory with the world," Google spokesman Ben Jose told CNN.